Crude oil stays near $100 a barrel in thin trading

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The price of oil drifted around $100 a barrel Monday, supported by a large fall in U.S. crude supplies in thin trading ahead of the New Year's holiday.

By mid-afternoon in Europe, benchmark U.S. crude for February delivery was down 29 cents to $100.03 in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. On Friday, the Nymex contract rose 77 cents to $100.32 a barrel, closing above $100 for the first time since Oct. 18 on prospects of a U.S. economic recovery.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said Friday that U.S. crude stockpiles fell 4.7 million barrels the week ending Dec. 20. It was the fourth straight week of draws in crude stocks.

While signs of an improving economy in the U.S. have supported prices, analysts noted that oil consumption in other parts of the world could be held back by a strengthening dollar, which makes oil more expensive for foreign economies.

"The recovery of the U.S. economy is fueling expectations of higher oil demand in the U.S.," said Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix in Switzerland. "But on a worldwide basis the stronger U.S. dollar that comes with an improvement of the U.S. economy is a negative for oil demand growth."

Others noted that interest from financial speculators would help push oil prices higher.

"Look for the price surge to continue into these final days of 2013, and the first days of 2014," said the Kilduff Report, edited by Michael Fitzpatrick. "New money will be put to work in commodities, causing part of the rise."

Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils, was down 60 cents to $111.58 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.

Brent's decline was attributed to reports that some of the oil production, refinery and export facilities in Libya - which has been struggling to remain in operation since the 2011 civil war that ousted Moammar Gadhafi - were back in business.

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This magnetic storm is HUGE, and still going. Has reach KP 8 today. Would have stayed later to keep filming, but the clouds moved in. Let's hope it persists into the evening tonight also for more pictures.